At a recent expo, someone stopped by our booth, picked up our cotton pads, and asked a very fair question:
“Are these reusable?”
When we said no, he paused and said, “So you’re just swapping one disposable wipe for another.”
And we get it.
Because when you’re trying to make better choices for your baby and the planet, the last thing you want is a product that only sounds more sustainable.
So let’s talk about it.
Are baby wipes bad for the environment
The short answer: many traditional baby wipes aren’t ideal from an environmental point of view.
A lot of disposable wet wipes are made with synthetic fibers like polyester or polypropylene, which are forms of plastic. When they’re flushed or improperly disposed of, plastic-based wipes can contribute to sewer blockages and may break down into microplastic fibers in waterways.
The American Chemical Society reported that, in one river study, most wipes analyzed were plastic-based, with polypropylene and polyester being the most common materials. [acs.org]
That doesn’t mean wipes are “bad” in a moral sense. We are not here to shame anyone for surviving a blowout in a grocery store parking lot. Please.
But it does mean they come with trade-offs.
Why cotton pads are not the same as wet wipes
This is where the difference matters.
A dry cotton pad is not the same thing as a pre-moistened disposable wipe.
Our cotton pads are made from a natural material. They are used with our Diapering Lotion, which means you’re not relying on a wipe that may contain plastic fibers, fragrance, preservatives, or extra packaging moisture to stay wet on the shelf.
It’s still disposable, yes.
But it’s a different kind of disposable.
And for many families it's a great middle ground.
Want to go lower-waste? You can.
Here’s the part we love: La Petite Crème doesn’t lock you into one routine.
You can use the Diapering Lotion with our cotton pads when you want convenience.
You can also use it with reusable cloth wipes. Just keep a little stack near the changing table, use one during the diaper change, then pop it in the wash with baby laundry.
That’s it. No complicated system. No gold star required.
You can even use the lotion with your favorite toilet paper for quick, simple changes at home or on the go.
Our travel-sized lotion is the perfect fit for your diaper bag!
The real goal: less waste, less friction, less overthinking
The most sustainable option is often the one you can actually stick with.
The EPA’s waste guidance puts reducing and reusing at the top of the list, before recycling or disposal, which is why reusable cloth is such a great option when it fits your life. [epa.gov]
But motherhood is not a sustainability contest.
Some days you’ll use cloth.
Some days you’ll use cotton pads.
Some days you’ll grab what’s closest because someone is crying and the dog just stole your baby’s last sock.
Our approach is simple: give parents a gentler alternative to traditional wipes, with options that can flex to fit their lifestyle.
A softer way forward
So, are our cotton pads the same as disposable wet wipes?
No.
They’re dry, natural, simple, and designed to be paired with a lotion-based diapering routine that reduces unnecessary rubbing on baby’s skin.
And if you want to make the routine even lower-waste, reusable cloth works beautifully with the La Petite Crème Diapering Lotion.